Grace O'Brien

Dr Grace O'Brien is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at QUT, part of the Faculty of Creative Industries, Education & Social Justice. She specializes in Indigenous education reform, focusing on reducing school exclusions and over-incarceration of First Nations youth. An affiliate member of QUT’s Centre for Justice, her work bridges education, sociology, and human rights.

Her education includes a PhD from the University of Technology Sydney and a Master of Indigenous Education from Macquarie University. She has over 40 years of partnership with First Nations communities in Queensland, advocating for culturally responsive curricula and inclusive pedagogy.

Research interests include the 'school-to-prison pipeline,' Indigenous language preservation, and social justice in education. Notable projects include co-developing an Indigenous Languages Program in a regional Early Learning Centre and editing an international journal on justice and education.

Awards include the 2015 Vice Chancellor’s Commendation for Academic Excellence and 2024 Indigenous Engagement Recognition. She supervises postgraduate research students and teaches courses like 'Cultural Studies: Indigenous Education' and 'Sociology.'